Fluidic structures within an array package

Abstract

A package for an addressable array of multiple features carried on a first side of a substrate, and a method of using such package. The package includes a housing which receives the substrate such that the housing and received substrate define a chamber into which the multiple features face, and which chamber is accessible through a first port. The housing includes a first set of multiple fluid distribution channels each disposed between the first port and the multiple features of the received substrate so as to direct fluid flow between multiple different regions across the first side of the received substrate to or from the first port. The fluid distribution channels may be valved such as by being capillary sized or by being provided with a bubble formation device (such as a nucleating resistor). The channels can provide for an even flow of wash fluid across the array while confining sample to the region of the array.

1. A method of exposing an addressable array of multiple features carried on a first side of a substrate, to a fluid, using a housing and the substrate together so as to define a chamber into which the multiple features face, and which chamber is accessible through a first port, the housing including a first set of multiple fluid distribution channels each disposed between the first port and the chamber of the received substrate, the method comprising:
 either adding or removing the fluid through the first port such that fluid flow is directed by the multiple fluid distribution channels between multiple different regions across the first side of the received substrate to or from the first port;  
 wherein the fluid distribution channels are capillary sized so that capillary action therein will retain fluid in the chamber in the absence of a minimal pressure differential applied across those fluid distribution channels.  
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the features comprise different biopolymer sequences. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid is a sample to be tested by the array, the method additionally comprising interrogating the array following exposure. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1  wherein the fluid is a sample to be tested by the array and the array is exposed to the sample at a first location, the method additionally comprising interrogating the array following exposure to obtain a result of the exposure, and communicating the result or a conclusion based on the result to a location remote from the first location. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 4  wherein the sample was obtained from a location remote from the first location. 
     
     
       6. A method of exposing an addressable array of multiple features carried on a first side of a substrate, to a fluid, using a housing and the substrate together so as to define a chamber into which the multiple features face, and which chamber is accessible through a first port, the housing including a first set of multiple fluid distribution channels each disposed between the first port and the chamber of the received substrate, the method comprising:
 either adding or removing the fluid through the first port such that fluid flow is directed by the multiple fluid distribution channels between multiple different regions across the first side of the received substrate to or from the first port;  
 wherein the package additionally has a bubble formation device in at least some of the fluid distribution channels of the first set, the method additionally comprising activating the bubble formation device in at least one of the fluid distribution channels so as to form a bubble is formed in the corresponding channel to retain fluid in the chamber.  
 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 6  wherein the fluid is a sample to be tested by the array, the method additionally comprising interrogating the array following exposure. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 6  wherein the fluid is a sample to be tested by the array and the array is exposed to the sample at a first location, the method additionally comprising interrogating the array following exposure to obtain a result of the exposure, and communicating the result or a conclusion based on the result to a location remote from the first location. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 8  wherein the sample was obtained from a location remote from the first location. 
     
     
       10. A package for an addressable array of multiple features carried on a first side of a substrate, comprising a housing which receives the substrate such that the housing and received substrate define a chamber into which the multiple features face, and which chamber is accessible through a first port, the housing including a first set of multiple fluid distribution channels each disposed between the first part and the chamber so as to direct fluid flow between multiple different regions across the first side of the received substrate to or from the first port;
 wherein at least some of the fluid distribution channels are valved so as to be selectively closable or openable to prevent or permit fluid flow out of the chamber to the first port.  
 
     
     
       11. A package according to  claim 10 , additionally comprising a bubble formation device in at least some of the fluid distribution channels of the first set, so that when activated a bubble is formed in the corresponding channel to retain fluid in the chamber. 
     
     
       12. A package according to  claim 11 , wherein the bubble formation device comprises a bubble nucleating resistor. 
     
     
       13. A package according to  claim 10  wherein the first port includes a closure member normally closing the first port. 
     
     
       14. A package according to  claim 13  wherein the closure member comprises a resilient self-sealing member. 
     
     
       15. A package for an addressable array of multiple features carried on a first side of a substrate, comprising a housing which receives the substrate such that the housing and received substrate define a chamber into which the multiple features face, and which chamber is accessible through a first port, the housing including a first set of multiple fluid distribution channels each disposed between the first port and the chamber so as to direct fluid flow between multiple different regions across the first side of the received substrate to or from the first port;
 wherein at least some of the fluid distribution channels are capillary sized so that capillary action therein will retain fluid in the chamber in the absence of a minimal pressure differential applied across those fluid distribution channels.  
 
     
     
       16. A package according to  claim 15 , additionally comprising the received substrate. 
     
     
       17. A package according to  claim 16  wherein the features comprise different biopolymer sequences. 
     
     
       18. A package according to  claim 17  wherein the features comprise different DNA sequences. 
     
     
       19. A package according to  claim 15  wherein fluid flow width increases between the first port to the first set of fluid distribution channels.